Graphics Revision Guide (Part 1)Pager sizes and weights

Types of paperCorrugated Card

Coated CardOiled card

PolystyreneCorruflute

Low Tack Masking Film (FRISK FILM)MylarVinyl

FOAM is a high-density polystyreneFoamboard or Foamcore

Balsa Wood

The picture on the left shows standard papersizes. Notice that each successive size is twice of the preceding one.

Paper is sold by density (weight), measured ingrams/square meter (gsm).

Standard photocopy paper is about 80gsm.Photo paper is about 100 – 200gsm.Thin model making card is about 300gsm.Thick card is about 600 gsm.

Or by thickness measured in microns (one micron is one millionth of a metre).Standard photocopy paper is about 120 microns.Photo paper is about 100 – 200gsm.Thin model making card is about 330 microns.Thick card is about 680 microns.

Paper sizes and weight

Different types of papers includeLAYOUT PAPER which is semi-transparent and is used in the preparation of work. The paper isplaced on top of work and correct parts are traced out. This continues until the layout iscomplete.BLEEDPROOF PAPER is used when work needs to be coloured using marker pens. The paperhas a special coating to stop the ink from spreading out (bleeding).GRID PAPER is available in many different types, squared paper being the most obvious.

Other types include isometric paper (shown on the left) to help in thedrawing of isometric shapes and perspective paper.

TRACING PAPER and COLOURED PAPER complete the papers, but the reader is assumed toknow sufficient about these.CardAs has already been mentioned, card can be sold in either density (gsm) or thickness (microns).CORRUGATED CARD is the type of card commonly found in cardboard boxes and packaging.It is made from a layer of paper then a layer of corrugated paper then a layer of paper. Thecorrugated layer gives it more strength the paper/card whilst still making sure it is lightweight.

COATED CARD describes card that has one or both sides coated with another material. Twoexamples are plastic coated card (for example business cards) gloss coated card (for exampleleaflets and playing cards).

OILED CARD is a special card used almost exclusively in making stencils.The next category of materials is those based on plastics.POLYSTYRENE is most commonly associated with the white packaging material used to protectelectrical equipment. However, HIPS or High Impact Polystyrene Sheet is another commonmaterial that you have used in vacuum forming and in container making. It is capable ofwithstanding high impacts (hence its name) and comes in a variety of colours and thicknesses(from 0.25mm to 6mm thick, with most coloured sheets coming between 1mm and 3mm).

Styrene is also available in sheet, rod, tube and various other shapes and is popular in model making.The material is lightweight, easy to cut and join together and can be finished using a variety of brush or spray applied paints.

CORRUFLUTE is best described as plasticcorrugated cardboard. Being plastic it is available in a wide range of colours and is more durable than corrugated card.

The most common item known to you that is made from corruflute is your grey graphics folder.

LOW TACK MASKING FILM (FRISK FILM) is used inthe production of stencils for use primarily with spray paints (such as airbrushing).It is easily cut using a scalpel (by hand) or by computer (CAM) and being low tack (not very sticky) means that it will peel off the work when finished with without tearing or damaging the work surface.

MYLAR is a thin sheet material that has is used to create, for example,glossy or matte attractive outsides of packaging and clear plastic sheetfor photocopying (it withstands high temperatures). It can also be usedto make stencils and can have a metal surface added to it which is common in celebration balloons, like the one shown on the right.

VINYL is a thin coloured sheet plastic that iscommonly used to make signs and logos.It is commonly cut using CAM (Computer Aided Manufacture) and is used to produce many of the company designs and logos seen on vans or cars. Make sure that you know the process of converting a computer image into a completed vinyl sign.

FOAM is a high-density polystyrenematerial (unlike the low-densitytraditional white polystyrene).It is widely used in graphics and modelmaking because it is lightweight, easilyshaped into complex shapes and comesin a variety of thicknesses.It is commonly joined with PVA gluebut you cannot use spray paints withoutfirst coating with acrylic or poster paint(it will melt the foam if you don’t).

FOAMBOARD or Foamcore is alayer of polystyrene sandwichedbetween two layers of card.It is often sold in white or black and itis lightweight and easily cut, but itdoes not bend without cracking orbreaking.The card surfaces also mean thatgraphic designs can be placed oneither side. Although again care hasto be taken using spray paints becauseof the concern of melting the foam.

BALSA WOOD is a very lightweightmaterial that is commonly used in modelmaking.It is easy to cut and join together and isuseful if creating fast 3D prototypes ofproducts, such as the design for a newCanon camera shown on the left.